A five-storey development proposed alongside Mosta’s Wied il-Ghasel has been refused by the Planning Authority Board. It was refused with a five to three majority during a sitting held on Thursday, having already been recommended for refusal by the Planning Authority’s case officer. The development was proposed on Mosta’s Triq il-Kostituzzjoni – one of the town’s main thoroughfares – instead of a dwelling known as Villa Paramount.  The dwelling is situated directly opposite the Casa Arkati care home and overlooks the protected Wied il-Ghasel valley. The developers, Jarom Investments Ltd, planned to completely demolish the terraced house together with its pool and ancillary areas – parts of which are in an Outside Development Zone and which also lie in the buffer zone for the valley, which is considered an Area of Ecological Importance. Instead, the developers wanted to build a five-storey mixed development featuring four underground levels...

The Court of appeal has revoked the original permit for the Villa Rosa development. The application in question dealt with the renewal of an application that was approved in 2016. The description of works read:  “Demolition of all existing buildings forming part of St. George’s Bay Hotel and ancillary facilities, Dolphin House, Moynihan House and Cresta quay. Construction of parking facilities, hotels and ancillary facilities, commercial area, multi-ownership holiday accommodation, bungalows, language school with accommodation. Restoration of the Villa Rosa and upgrading of the facilities including parking facility, kitchen and toilets all below existing site levels within the Villa Rosa area to address catering facilities/wedding hall.” The Villa Rosa Developers had, aside from the renewed permit, filed a completely separate permit which is the one currently in the public eye, proposing a high-rise development which includes two towers. This latter application is unaffected by the court decision,...

The Archdiocese of Malta and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA) have reached an agreement for the study, conservation and restoration of St Barbara’s Church in Valletta, a project expected to be completed in approximately five years. Situated on Republic Street, the church will continue being used for religious functions, while FWA will assist in sourcing funding for the necessary conservation works and offer its custodial support.  The agreement was signed by Michael Pace Ross, Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese, and Mario Farrugia, chairman of FWA, in the presence of the newly appointed church rector Mgr Paul Vella.  Pace Ross said restoration can start in 2025 after the necessary approvals are sought, thanks to secured financial commitments. He said that a committee will oversee and coordinate the restoration works and promote the church’s heritage. Farrugia added that Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will evaluate the church’s current state of conservation, identify the most...

Associated Press Thursday, 12 December 2024, 07:45 Last update: about 2 hours ago Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus on Wednesday, the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings, with only the top 24 advancing. Progressing to the next round of the new-look format looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2023 and has won the last four Premier League titles. But not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. City has won just one of its last 10 matches in all competitions, with goals by Dušan Vlahović and Weston McKennie inflicting the latest defeat and igniting Juventus’...

The first phase of the Msida Creek project, which started a few weeks ago, is proceeding at a fast pace, the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works said in a statement on Wednesday. The Ministry said that the architects of the project spoke with Minister Chris Bonett and Infrastructure Malta CEO Steve Ellul as they visited the site to detail how the construction site was surrounded by two-meter-high concrete panels while a segregated pedestrian route was created around the site so that pedestrians could safely pass through the area. It continued that the preparatory works are currently being carried out and consist of 86 pillars being inserted into the ground which will be the basis of the construction of a new road connecting the Xatt of Ta’ Xbiex with Pieta. The Ministry said that several sheet piles are being placed in the ground in this area...

A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a skip, the police said in a statement on Wednesday evening. The victim is a 54-year-old Englishman who lives in Mellieha and the incident happened at around 5pm in Dawret San Pawl in St Paul’s Bay. Police said that early investigations showed that the man lost control of his Honda motorcycle and crashed into a skip which was stationary in the street. He was given medical assistance and taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was certified as suffering from serious injuries. Magistrate Ian Farrugia is leading an inquiry while police investigations are also ongoing. Source link

Principal Permanent Secretary Mr Tony Sultana appointed a new Permanent Secretary, after his nomination was approved by the Public Service Commission, and announced some changes in the responsibilities of other Permanent Secretaries. These changes will take effect as from 1st January 2025, a statement by the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary read. “Bjorn Callus has been appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works. Callus joined the Public Service in 2009 as EU Fund Officer and served in several positions including that of EU Fund Manager, Senior Policy Officer, Technical Attaché, as well as Director General of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Directorate. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in European studies.” “The Public Service would like to thank Nancy Caruana, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, who reached retirement age. Nancy Caruana has been...

A court has granted bail to a cleaner accused of vandalising the Grand Master’s Palace, with strict conditions imposed on his whereabouts and a substantial amount of money to cover his bail deposit and personal guarantee. Amrit Bhatta, a 23-year-old cleaner, was accused of using chemicals to create permanent markings on the walls and stone slabs of the Grand Master’s Palace has been released on bail under strict conditions, despite objections from the prosecution. The Police Inspector said in Court that the people who manage the Grand Master’s Palace submitted a report to the police station on 10 December 2024. They said the accused, who carries out cleaning services at the palace, drew on the walls and stone slabs using cleaning chemicals.  The suspect was charged with wilfully or negligently damaging the cultural property. In court, the accused admitted that it was indeed him who did the...

A total of 28,045 people acquired Maltese citizenship between 2013 and 2024. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri divulged the details in response to a parliamentary question filed by PN MP Chris Said, asking how many people have been granted Maltese citizenship between 2013 to 2024, year by year. Said also asked for the country of origin of these individuals. There are three ways in which an individual can acquire citizenship; through descendance, through naturalisation, and by buying it, after the Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) was launched in 2014, after an amendment to the Citizenship Act. Camilleri’s reply did not discern which of the three ways the individuals acquired citizenship. In 2024, so far, 2,795 individuals acquired Maltese citizenship, 143 individuals more than in 2023 (2,652 individuals). The highest number of people who acquired Maltese citizenship over the past 11 years was 3,610 in 2018, followed by...

St Edward’s College, one of the oldest independent schools in Malta, has announced that the school will transition to a fully co-educational model starting in September 2025. “This significant development marks the next chapter in the school’s long and distinguished history, as St Edward’s consolidates its commitment to providing an inclusive and forward-thinking education,” the school said. “Founded in 1929 as a boys’ boarding school, St Edward’s has a legacy of academic excellence, character development, and leadership preparation. Over the years, the College gradually evolved, introducing co-education at the nursery and International Baccalaureate (IB) levels. The decision to adopt a fully co-educational environment follows substantial discussions and research ensuring that the new environment meets the needs of modern families while upholding the school’s core values.” The transition will be implemented gradually and incrementally starting from the KG2 cohort and moving together into Year 1 in 2025. This...